From Me to the Sea Checklist

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Indicate how true the following statements are for you by circling the response that best describes your behaviour (A= Always, S= Sometimes, R= Rarely, N= Never). Then check the "Interpretations" and "Actions" sections below to see how your actions affect oceans and what you can do to help.

I choose items with re-usable or recyclable packaging

A S R N

I use reusable containers for my lunch

A S R N

I eat in fast-food restaurants that use biodegradable packaging

A S R N

I put my garbage in litter containers

A S R N

I recycle paper and other "recyclables"

A S R N

I use rechargeable batteries for battery-powered appliances

A S R N

I dispose of toxic waste (such as paints and old batteries) through a proper toxic waste facility/pick up.

A S R N

I promote the use of non-toxic cleaners in my home and school

A S R N

I promote lawns free of chemicals or fertilizers at home and school

A S R N

I walk or bike when I can, rather than riding in a car.

A S R N

I turn off lights when I leave the room

A S R N

I turn off appliances (TV, VCR, computer, games, etc.) when I am not using them

A S R N

If I stay at an ocean-side resort, I make sure it does not endanger coastal habitats, such as beaches, dunes, and marshes, through night lighting, development, or high-impact recreational activities.

A S R N

Interpretations

If you answered "rarely" or "never" to any questions from one to five, your habits produce garbage and might send litter to the oceans (even from garbage dumps) to entangle or choke sea turtles, seals, and other wildlife. By creating a demand for more packaging, you also encourage mining, petrochemical, and pulp and paper operations that pollute our waterways (see below).

If you answered "rarely" or "never" to any questions from six to nine, your habits may send toxic chemicals to the ocean through local waterways. Batteries contain metals and other hazardous waste. Paints and cleaners often contain contaminants that can accumulate in the food chain to cause reproductive failure, birth defects, illness, and death in ocean wildlife.

If you answered 'rarely" or "never" to question five or questions 10 to 12, your actions contribute to global climate change. You also contribute to air pollution carried through the atmosphere to oceans (especially the Arctic). Climate change is a particular threat to polar bears, walruses, and seals as Arctic waters warm up and important sea ice is reduced.

If you answered "rarely" or "never" to question 13, you may be supporting tourism operations that threaten worldwide coastal habitats with overdevelopment. This threatens sea turtles and birds that nest on beaches and in coastal marshes, and other creatures that depend on productive coastal areas for food.

Actions

What three simple actions are you willing to take to make sure that you send cleaner water to the oceans and ocean creatures?

Which ocean waters and which ocean creatures will benefit from your actions?